Hardwood Floors Spring Cleaning Tips

June 3, 2016

Spring has sprung, and for many people, this is the time they break out their cleaning supplies and really give their homes a deep cleaning. From cleaning the baseboards to washing their linens, Spring cleaning is a ritual for many households share. While it is like a sport to some, it is very important that during your cleaning activities, you pay attention to how you clean certain items. One of those major items is your hardwood floors.

Hardwood floors are an investment. If properly taken care of your hardwood floors can last for decades. So, to help you protect them, here are a three trusty tips you should remember when it is time to clean the hardwood floors in your home.

4 Hardwood Floor Cleaning Tips

Commit to Waxing Yearly

Waxing your hardwood floors has many benefits. It provides a hard layer that seals your floors and resists stains. Waxing also works to protect your floors and preserve them for years and years to come. Of course, the post visible benefit of waxing the hardwood floors in your home is the appearance. Waxing makes your floors shine and can restore instantly its beauty. By committing to wax yearly, you get to reap these great benefits and enjoy your hardwood floors longer.

Remember to Spot Clean

Whether you have that extra layer of wax on your hardwood floors or not, it is very important that you frequently spot clean. Spot cleaning not only helps keep your floors look great, but it also prevents you from having to mop so often. By spot cleaning, your floors will thank you and you can you can save some precious time, too.

Use A Damp Mop

When it comes to really cleaning your hardwood floors, it is imperative that you use some sort of liquid to do so. While some prefer to steam mop, there are others who are more traditional and opt to hand mop. If you choose the latter option, be sure to mop with a damp mop, not a wet mop.

Although mopping floors with a fully wet mop is probably ingrained in your head, it is not the best option for the hardwood floors in your home. In fact, mopping your hardwood floors actually doesn’t require much water at all. Using a damp mop prevents your floors from getting soaked and your hardwood surface from warping. Instead, when using a traditional mop, be sure to completely wring out the cloth until it feels damp to the touch, not wet.

DON’T Use Vinegar

Using diluted vinegar on hardwood floors is another dated myth that we need to forget. Back in the day, it was said that a mixture of vinegar and water was the best way to clean floors and restore its shine. However, this is false. Vinegar is acidic, so when you use it on your hardwood floors, it eats through the polyurethane layer. This layer is there to protect your floors, so when you use vinegar, even if it’s diluted, it completely defeats the purpose.

If you are desperate to restore your dull hardwood floors, try this tip from The DIY Network:

“Use boiling water and two teabags to clean hardwood floors. The tannic acid in tea creates a beautiful shine for hardwood floors. Let two teabags steep in the boiling water for a few minutes. Pour the tea into a bucket. Take a soft cloth and wring it out in the tea. The cloth merely needs to be damp, not soaked. This will enable the floor to dry quickly. Wash the floor and be ready to be amazed by the sheen.”

When it comes to cleaning your hardwood floors, you want to protect them, not damage them. So next time you are in the mood to clean, remember these tips to keep your hardwood floors beautiful.